The Crime and Misconduct Commission’s latest information on misconduct prevention and management strategies will be showcased during a two-day visit to Mount Isa next week.

The seminars are part of the CMC’s regional visit program to enhance how public sector agencies deal with and prevent misconduct. The CMC will focus its prevention seminars in particular upon anti-corruption strategies.

Two seminars will be held concurrently on 19 and 20 November — one for local government councillors and employees and one for state government departments.

CMC Director of Complaints Services Helen Couper says attendees will have the opportunity to learn about managing conflicts of interest to prevent corruption and other misconduct and how to deal with, and in particular investigate, suspected official misconduct in public agencies.

‘Conflicts of interest are a fact of life in the public sector. The critical question is how they should be properly managed to avoid a situation or perception of improper conduct,’ Ms Couper said.

‘Corruption often begins with a conflict of interest that’s not declared or effectively managed.’

‘The CMC’s seminars will help make it easier for the public sector to identify and deal with conflicts of interest and reduce the risk of corrupt activity or other misconduct occurring,’ Ms Couper said.

‘Our seminars also offer clear guidelines on how to identify, investigate or otherwise manage complaints of official misconduct through case studies, practical tips and step by step instructions. It’s about making it easier for CEOs and managers to deal with misconduct.’

‘The CMC promotes confidence in Queensland’s public sector by helping agencies take responsibility for the misconduct that occurs in their own backyard, and by monitoring how they handle misconduct.’

The sessions are tailored for state government departments and local government councillors and employees.